It is fascinating that residents and the media are obsessing about the city’s intention to cut the hanging flower-basket program by half to save $130,000.
Does cutting flower baskets create the illusion of a robust debate on priorities and divert taxpayer eyes from an unaffordable 10.44 per cent property tax hike?
Residents can’t help but agree after reviewing the proposed $468 million consolidated budget for 2026 and the city finances.
If you examine the amount of accumulated surplus the City of Victoria had at the end 2024, taxpayers need to ask if council is distracting them from any possible service integration across the region.
The accumulated surplus stood at slightly over one billion dollars, according to the most recent statement of financial information. Granted almost three-quarters of that amount was equity in capital assets like buildings and land.
But about $300 million consists of 12 cash reserves and investments for everything from a financial stability reserve to another for climate action.
How is it that the council can’t find $130,000, a relative pittance, to pay for an iconic feature of a tourist community dubbed the ‘Garden City’? Why not buy flower baskets on the open market?
It seems most municipalities these days start performative budget discussions with an alarming double-digit budget increase, face the public outrage, and then scale back the outsized hike. Critics charge that the budget is sold as a less-painful hike and a compromise.
So what better way than slashing flower baskets to distract from the real issue of governing within realistic fiscally responsible means. How is it that our neighbour Vancouver is promising taxpayers a zero per cent budget increase in 2026?
Since labour costs in Victoria account for a mind-boggling 54 per cent of the operating budget, council has few options other than rationalizing a rapidly growing staff payroll.
There are now 22 staff in the communications and engagement department – twice as many as in 2021 – ready to record and analyze your views on the proposed budget. Residents have until 11.59 pm on Jan. 23.